2019-09-15T07:43:55ZEco-friendly synthesis, characterization, in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of silver nanoparticle-mediated Selaginella myosurus aqueous extracthttp://hdl.handle.net/10566/4763
Eco-friendly synthesis, characterization, in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of silver nanoparticle-mediated Selaginella myosurus aqueous extract
Kedi, Philippe Belle Ebanda; Meva, Francois Eya’ane; Kotsedi, Lebogang; Nguemfo, Edwige Laure; Zangueu, Calvin Bogning; Ntoumba, Agnes Antoinette; Mohamed, Hamza Elsayed Ahmed; Dongmo, Alain Bertrand; Maaza, Malik
Introduction: There is emerging interest in medicinal plants in the biomedical field, due to their
multitude of chemicals which show anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, or antitumoral
potential. Research on medicinal plants has shown that nanotechnology could offer new solutions
in the quality control, delivery aspects, or in sustaining herbal biological activities. This
work reports on the preparation and characterization of silver nanoparticle-mediated Selaginella
myosurus plant extract.
Methods: Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder
X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, high-resolution scanning electron
microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction
have been used to characterize the prepared silver nanoparticles. The synthetic stability
was studied by varying concentrations and pH of reactants. Egg albumin denaturation and
carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model were used to ascertain the anti-inflammation.
Results: Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy gave plasmon resonance ranging between 420 and 480 nm
while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy proved nano interface functionalized with organics.
The powder X-ray diffraction pattern is in agreement with silver and silver chloride nanoparticles of
crystallite size 33.7 nm and 44.2 nm for silver and silver chloride, respectively. Energy dispersive
X-ray spectroscopy enables elemental characterization of the particles consisting of silver and silver
chloride among main elements. Spherical silver grain of 58.81 nm average size has been depicted
with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron
microscopy. Inhibitions of 99% and 60% were obtained in vitro and in vivo, respectively.
Conclusion: The albumin denaturation and carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema model to
assess the anti-inflammatory potential of generated nanoparticles suggests that the silver nanoparticles
may act as reducing/inhibiting agents on the release of acute inflammatory mediators.
Hence, this work clearly demonstrated that silver nanoparticles mediated-Selaginella myosurus
could be considered as a potential source for anti-inflammatory drugs.
2018-01-01T00:00:00ZAcute toxicity studies of the South African medicinal plant Galenia africanahttp://hdl.handle.net/10566/4759
Acute toxicity studies of the South African medicinal plant Galenia africana
Ng’uni, Tiza; Klaasen, Jeremy A.; Fielding, Burtram C.
Background: Medicinal plants are used by a large proportion of the global population as complementary and
alternative medicines. However, little is known about their toxicity. G. africana has been used to treat wounds,
coughs and skin diseases and is used in cosmetic formulations such as lotions and shampoos.
Methods: The acute oral and dermal toxicity potential of G. africana was analyzed after a single administration of
300 and 2000 mg/kgbw for acute oral toxicity and 2000 mg/kgbw for acute dermal toxicity. Female Sprague-
Dawley rats were used for the acute oral toxicity study whereas both male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were
used for the acute dermal toxicity study. In the Episkin skin irritation test, the irritation potential of G. africana
(concentrate) and G. africana (in-use dilution) extracts were assessed using the Episkin reconstituted human
epidermis. In the dermal sensitization study, female CBA/Ca mice were treated with G. africana concentrations
of 50, 100 and 200 mg/ml respectively. The vehicle of choice was dimethylformamide which acted as a control.
Results: The results of the acute oral and dermal toxicity studies revealed that the median lethal dosage (LD50)
for G. africana extract in Sprague-Dawley rats was considered to exceed 2000 mg/kgbw. In the irritation test, the
G. africana (concentrate) and G. africana (in-use dilution) extracts were non-irritant on the Episkin reconstituted
human epidermis. In the dermal sensitization study, the stimulation index (SI) values for the mice treated with
the G. africana extract at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 mg/ml/kgbw, when compared to the control group,
were 1.3, 0.9 and 1.3 respectively. The open application of the extract at the various concentrations did not
result in a SI of ≥ 3 in any group. Hence, it did not elicit a hypersensitivity response.
Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the acute toxicity profile for G. africana is acceptable and can
subsequently be used for single use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
2018-01-01T00:00:00ZCarica papaya seed extract slows human spermhttp://hdl.handle.net/10566/4676
Carica papaya seed extract slows human sperm
Ghaffarilaleh, Vahid; Fisher, David; Henkel, Ralf
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Traditional healers use Carica papaya seeds as a remedy for diseases and as a contraceptive for men and abortion in women.
Material and methods: Semen samples from 35 healthy men were allowed to liquefy and subsequently incubated for 60 min in Human Tubular Fluid medium containing 1% bovine serum albumin with aqueous C. papaya seed extract at concentrations of zero, 0.025, 0.25, 2.5, 25, 250 and 2500 μg/ml. Afterwards, sperm were washed and used for assessment of capacitation and acrosome reaction, DNA fragmentation, vitality, motility, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).
Results: The extract showed no effects on straight-line velocity, linearity, straightness, beat-cross frequency and the percentage of capacitated, acrosome-reacted sperm. In contrast, vitality, total motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, average-path velocity and the percentages of hyper-activated, ROS-positive and MMP-intact sperm decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while the percentage of DNA-fragmented sperm increased (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Our data show that aqueous C. papaya seed extract significantly and negatively affects sperm motility parameters crucial for fertility; and thus, poses as a likely candidate for male contraception.
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZOral health status and treatment needs of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africahttp://hdl.handle.net/10566/4656
Oral health status and treatment needs of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Africa, Charlene Wilma Joyce; Turton, Mervyn
During pregnancy, the oral cavity is characterised by an acidic environment and an inflammatory response brought about by vomiting and changes in hormonal levels, respectively, thereby increasing the mother’s risk of developing caries. Although evidence exists to support an association between pregnancy-associated periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes, there is a paucity of studies which focus on the caries prevalence and other oral manifestations of pregnant women. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status and treatment needs of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Randomly selected mothers (n = 443) attending a maternal obstetrics unit participated in the study. A questionnaire elicited demographic information about the participants, while the measurement of decayed, missing, and filled indices (DMFT) determined their caries status. Oral lesions were noted if present. Descriptive statistics for independent variables described frequencies in the various categories of race, location, pregnancy stage, etc., with the association between 2 independent variables tested by chi-square. Dependent variables such as DMFT were expressed as means and standard deviations, and ANOVA was used to examine whether independent variables significantly influenced the DMFT. The mean DMFT was 7.18 (±4.22) with significant correlations observed between DMFT, D, M, and age. F scores differed significantly between races, location, and educational levels and showed a significant correlation with pregnancy stage. Pregnancy epulis was diagnosed in 38 (8.5%), oral lesions in 65 (14.7%), and tooth mobility in 26 (5.9%) mothers. Early oral health screening during pregnancy can ensure the overall well-being of both the mother and the foetus.
2019-01-01T00:00:00Z